Pilates Exercise: Shoulders, Back and Arms

Let’s work our shoulders, back and arms because it’s not always about the core!

This video has not been modified for injury or chronic pain issues. Please talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise routine. With V2W, if you have any acute pain in your shoulder/neck or upper back, you want to skip this exercise.

The V2W is an exercise for the shoulders, arms and the upper back muscles. We’re going to be working the abduction of the arms, meaning pressing away from center. The first thing that we’re going to do is grab a Thera-Band, a stretch out strap, a yoga strap, or a towel.

As i mentioned, we’re going to work the abduction of the arms and the shoulders. I’m pressing my arms away from center, keeping lots of tension in the strap as I do that.

I’m going to raise my arms overhead as I’m keeping the tension in the strap, making sure that I don’t flare through the ribs or lift up my shoulders. Again, I’m working the abduction of the arms, pressing away from center, as I raise my arms overhead. Then once there, I’m going to bring my arms back behind me going into the W, still working that abduction of the arms, and making sure that I don’t pop my head forward when I bring the arms back behind me. Again, making sure that I’m not flaring through my ribs.

Then I’m going to go back into the V, continuing to work the abduction of the arms, and back into the W. I’m going to repeat that, making sure that I’m not flaring through the ribs or moving my head forward this way.

Working that abduction of the arms, upper back, and the shoulders. Of course, I’ve got my abs engaged as well.

If you feel like your arms are too close, and it’s to challenging, you can also create more distance between the arms, and that makes it easier with the range of motion.

All right. That’s V2W.

Let me know if you have something in particular you want me to address. I take requests! What do you want me to show you? What’s been bugging you lately? Do you want help with something specific? I want to know what you are looking for.

Stayed tuned for the next post! We will see what I have in store for you then.

Until then; Enjoy life, have fun and make it a great day!

Email me at pilates@thebodygallery.com for more information. I’m happy to help.
Until next time, enjoy life, have fun, and make it a great day.